There was a time, long after being excommunicated back in 2006, when I thought my anger about church betrayal was subsiding. I was seldom bothering to look at ex-mormon sites and getting on with life, but some of the more recent blunders of insane and psychotic prophets, have shocked me to pieces; the most recent of which, is the NO GODS, NO PLANETS fiasco.
Like many others, my memory stretches way back to 1964 when I got converted at age 18. It’s been 42 years of being temple worthy with multiple Callings, including: stake clerk, YM president, bishopric councilor, branch president, bishop and gospel doctrine teacher. I have lived, listened and worshipped under a succession of 7 separate prophets, from McKay up to Hinckley. All through those years the concept and teaching of ‘Becoming God’s’ and having ‘Worlds of our own,’ with Endless Seed, was preached, taught and glorified-in. It was in the teaching manuals, in books, in General Conference talks and in the church Magazines. Indeed, the entire concept of such Kingdoms of Glory were the main consoling belief of the suffering women of polygamist families – ‘their Jam Tomorrow.’ This hope of future glory became their only comfort, in their neglected and emotionally emaciated lives.
The denial now from top leaders, that this never actually was officially taught, seems to come from 2 sources:
(1) The Topical Guide Essay on ‘Becoming Like God’
(2) Frequently Asked Questions from the church News room
Firstly, this Topical Guide Essay is a long, waffling diarrhea of distraction and diversion, with a one sentence dismissal of any hint at becoming a God! In my opinion – grossly inadequate.
As for number (2) Frequently Asked Questions – This is what it actually says:
11. Do Latter-day Saints believe they can become “gods”?
Latter-day Saints believe that is God’s purpose to exalt us to become like Him. But this teaching is often misrepresented by those who caricature the faith. The Latter-day Saint belief is no different than the biblical teaching . . . .”
12. Do Latter-day Saints believe that they will “get their own planet”?
No. This idea is not taught in Latter-day Saint scripture, nor is it a doctrine of the Church. This misunderstanding stems from speculative comments unreflective of scriptural doctrine . . . . “
In the first paragraph above, it would appear that those who “CARICATURE THE FAITH” must be apostles and prophets? Because ordinary members did NOT invent it and far from saying that what they have taught on this subject has been no different to biblical teaching – nothing could be further from the truth. Such a statement as this, leads one to believe that Joseph Smith and section 76 did not and could not have existed. It is a downright lie.
In the next paragraph, it states also, IT IS NOT DOCTRINE but has arisen through “SPECULATIVE COMMENTS.” Once again, “speculative comments’”must be from the prophets? Ordinary members did NOT make-up the doctrine; they were in receipt of it as it was taught in all curriculum manuals, seminary, institute and General Conferences…. It’s the favorite occupation of the church to dump all embarrassing and outdated dogma, on everyone else, except themselves.
And further, as to the claim it was never SCRIPTURE, consider the following:
“What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the VOICE OF MY SERVANTS, it is the same.” (D&C 1:38)
“And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be SCRIPTURE, shall be the WILL OF THE LORD, shall be the MIND OF THE LORD, shall be the WORD OF THE LORD, shall be the VOICE OF THE LORD, and the power of God unto salvation.” (D&C 68:4)
In verse 4 just above, J.Reuben Clark Jr. said of the 1st Presidency exclusively:
“. . . . They have the right, the power, and authority to declare the MIND AND WILL OF GOD to his people. . . . ”
“. . . . The Church will know by the testimony of the Holy Ghost in the body of the members, whether the brethren in voicing their views are “moved upon by the Holy Ghost” and in due time that knowledge will be made manifest’
Did you notice what that was just saying? “The Church will know by the testimony of the Holy Ghost IN THE BODY OF THE MEMBERS, whether the brethren in voicing their views are “moved upon by the Holy Ghost . . . .”
You and I were, or are, the “body of members” (Biblically, The Body of Christ) we WERE the church. The members will know when the Brethren are moved upon. Consider: EVERY prophet since Joseph Smith has taught this principle of becoming Gods with eternal worlds. Verse 4 of section 68 says that when anyone – in this case, multiple mouthpieces of God, teach the same thing….IT BECOMES SCRIPTURE, whether in a canon of scripture or not. It is scripture, because it has been a sacred ‘Tradition.’
“Therefore, brothers, be steadfast, and preserve the TRADITIONS you were taught by us whether by WORD OF MOUTH or by LETTER.” (2 Thessalonians 2:15)
The teaching of the Apostles is both written and UNWRITTEN, and this is true of Apostolic Teaching in general: it is handed down in two forms, distinguished by whether they are written or not. The Council of Trent, for instance, had: “written books, and the unwritten traditions “ So, strictly speaking, it is incorrect for the church to claim they have no ‘scripture’ to support this doctrine.
Lastly, in the church Essay on ‘Race and the Priesthood,’ Brigham Young was slung under the bus and squashed to pulp…. So, how come also, with this flagrant denial of ever teaching ‘Becoming God’s and having Endless Worlds’ have they not apologized that EVERY prophet GOT IT WRONG? No, they just pretend the ENTIRE MEMBERSHIP got it wrong! No self recrimination, No expressed sadness and humility of THEIR faulty teaching. No seeking of our forgiveness at the broken dreams they painted for over 100 years to millions of people? NOTHING?
It would seem the church stands by the appallingly arrogant statement of Dallin H Oaks: “We don’t apologize,” and is willing to stand before ‘The Body of the Church’ (The entire membership) who have held this tradition as a sacred scriptual doctrine – and lie through their teeth that they never actually taught it. Hows that for audacious arogance!
LINKS:
Frequently Asked Questions About Latter-day Saints (churchofjesuschrist.org)